Paths by Zapier — Automate 1,300+ apps, now with conditional logic

Hey Product Hunt! Today we're launching a brand new conditional logic tool for Zapier called Paths. This was our #1 feature request over the past year—so we’re really excited to release it to the world. Zapier is an app automation platform that helps you get more done with over 1,300 apps you use at work. With Paths, you can route data from one app to multiple outcomes based on rules you set with common business tools like Google Apps, Slack, Trello, MailChimp, and Salesforce. Your automations can make decisions and get things done while you focus on your most important work. Paths work like if/then logic, so you can build smarter workflows that only run steps under certain conditions. No need to write a line of code or duplicate your workflows. This is a big step forward in our mission to save you time by automating tasks at work. With more than 2 million users, companies like Expedia, Dell, and Mixpanel are using Zapier and Paths to automate any business processes they have. Let us know what you think, and what you want to see us build next—our best new features always come from customers. I'll be around throughout the day to answer questions. Wade

Paths by Zapier is a very clever way to both get non-programmers to be able to create potentially sophisticated logical flows combined with 3rd party API integrations (what Web 2.0 people used to call "mashups")... as well as teach people the basics of how to program bot tree structures (the example shown is form entry that leads to different emails (i.e. "messages") being sent to the user — not hard to see this working for conversational software aficionados!).

Zapier continues to be the secret weapon for SO MANY startups (Zestful included). This takes it to another level. Nice work Wade + Zapier team 👏👏 👏

Will it support parallel paths and external rule engines in the future? Disclaimer: I am BPM engine addicted

@wadefoster Amazing, I am excited to consolidate Zaps. Can we expect Zapier mobile apps anytime soon?

Have been using paths for a while now. Find it super useful when you are using a zapier catch webhook function to start a flow and passing different information (eg, slack buttons) and creating actions based on each of these is super simple in the same zap workflow!

Pros:

Great for forking workflows or making multiple things happen simultaneously.

Cons:

Would be great to have an error condition to continue ^_^

I can't be more excited about this. I've used zapier for so many things. Work, freelancing...even my current job is something I found after automating the search using zapier! Now this update is much more than adding a feature. Improvement is exponential. Thanks, @wadefoster and team for listening to the community and good luck!

I love Zapier for it's simplicity and quickly being able to protoype ideas, combining workflows, API's and tools.

After spending time with Zapier in multiple companies, I can clearly state that their business model probably saved us more money than putting all of this on a developer and validating a business idea. It simply rocks!

Pros:

Next logical step to Zapier's single chain workflow

Cons:

Might turn of less experienced 'zapierists' since it can turn complicated quickly

I was fortunate to be a beta tester of this and ran through the user ability testing a few months ago. This sort of testing is actually what elevates Zapier into a new stratosphere. Their testing involved letting me log-in and having them observe me. It shows that they designed this feature to feel and operate naturally. It's got the UX simplicity similar to pulling out your first iPhone and not having to read a manual.

The feature was something lacking and had previously seen me setting up two or more zaps for the "if X, then Y, else Z" scenario. This is now totally encapsulated inside one zap.

I had previously prided myself on spending hours writing complex formulas inside the Zapier formula actions to attempt to emulate some of this functionality. They have taken this pride away from me.. oh and the hours of time it took ;)

Well done!

Pros:

Great for keeping an entire workflow in one zap.

Cons:

I feel my friends look at me strangely when I get over enthused about this. Maybe it is them with the problem not me?

Zapier is one of the best apps out there, and I'm so glad to see expansion on really important features of it. Ya'll rock, if you were public I'd sell a kidney and buy your stock 😅 keep going Zapier team

I love Paths! Been hoping for this for a long time. I've immediately been able to consolidate multiple redundant Zaps so I can streamline my automations. I'm also definitely looking forward to continued iterations of Paths to make it even more powerful. :-)

Zapier never stops to amaze me! Great job!

Congrats on the launch guys!

how cool